ROSCO LEVEE
There are three things I want to say about this straight away. Firstly, it’s a very good album. Secondly, thank you to whoever wrote the press release because it’s truthful and to the point. Thirdly, Roscoe Levee is almost certainly not going to appeal to everyone that reads this site or likes metal but, as I have said before, and will say so again in the future, if you have wider tastes when it comes to rock music or are willing to give something different a listen you could do a lot worse than this. Rosco Levee is a 28 year old singer, songwriter, guitarist and a few other things as well, he has been playing since he was 5 years old and ‘Final Approach To Home’ is his debut album. Amazingly, this guy and ‘The Southern Slide’, the immensely talented band he has backing him, hail from Kent in the UK and not from some swampy little town in the USA because listening to this you would honestly believe that was where they were born. This album is a great mix of country, southern rock, delta blues, Americana, rock ‘n’ roll and just a little bit of soul. It has a completely authentic feel to it and thanks to an EP released in 2011 he has been receiving a lot of attention on both sides of the water, with none other than Glen Campbell being suitably impressed with his sound.
I’ve been listening to this at least three times a day so far and ‘Final Approach To Home’ is impressing me more and more, especially as the band recorded it over a ten day period and produced it themselves. This isn’t my usual fare but I do like a bit of blues etc and a few influences came to mind which I’m pleased to say were confirmed when I visited the website to check them out further. If you can imagine The Band, Allman Brothers, old Rolling Stones, Robert Johnson, Dylan and a few others contributing songs for someone else to perform then that’ll be near. Rosco Levee is a master of many styles but he seems to fit it all together quite nicely. As mentioned, the band behind the man are very good. Joining Rosco, who also delivers a mean slide guitar are Lee Wilson on piano and Hammond, Simon Gardiner on bass, percussion and backing vocals, Andy Hayes on rhythm guitar and mandolin and David Tettmar on drums and backing vocals. Also appearing are Duncan Mackay (Primal Scream, Death in Vegas) on horns, Ian Cutler on fiddle and Pete Jackson on banjo. The mixture of instruments is a pleasure to listen to and if you can appreciate this style your foot will be tapping away constantly. Roscoe Levee is definitely a name to watch out for in the future. If he can write this well at 28 then with a few more bourbon soaked years on his voice he could well be delivering a classic.
I’ve been listening to this at least three times a day so far and ‘Final Approach To Home’ is impressing me more and more, especially as the band recorded it over a ten day period and produced it themselves. This isn’t my usual fare but I do like a bit of blues etc and a few influences came to mind which I’m pleased to say were confirmed when I visited the website to check them out further. If you can imagine The Band, Allman Brothers, old Rolling Stones, Robert Johnson, Dylan and a few others contributing songs for someone else to perform then that’ll be near. Rosco Levee is a master of many styles but he seems to fit it all together quite nicely. As mentioned, the band behind the man are very good. Joining Rosco, who also delivers a mean slide guitar are Lee Wilson on piano and Hammond, Simon Gardiner on bass, percussion and backing vocals, Andy Hayes on rhythm guitar and mandolin and David Tettmar on drums and backing vocals. Also appearing are Duncan Mackay (Primal Scream, Death in Vegas) on horns, Ian Cutler on fiddle and Pete Jackson on banjo. The mixture of instruments is a pleasure to listen to and if you can appreciate this style your foot will be tapping away constantly. Roscoe Levee is definitely a name to watch out for in the future. If he can write this well at 28 then with a few more bourbon soaked years on his voice he could well be delivering a classic.
LABEL:
FORMAT:
RedTrain Records
Album
FINAL APPROACH TO HOME
Review by Rick Tilley
RUNNING TIME:
50:59
RELEASE DATE:
3rd Dec 2012
TRACK LISTING
1) Goldrush; 2) Seven Seas My Name
3) All May Change Tonight
4) Never Stops
5) Whatever You Need
6) I Got Soul; 7) 97-3
8) Hey Lady
9) Headlight Burn
10) Old Bessie
11) Ol' Shanky Shake
12) When You're Gone to Ramble
3) All May Change Tonight
4) Never Stops
5) Whatever You Need
6) I Got Soul; 7) 97-3
8) Hey Lady
9) Headlight Burn
10) Old Bessie
11) Ol' Shanky Shake
12) When You're Gone to Ramble
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
UK
"If he can write this well at 28 then with a few more bourbon soaked years on his voice he could well be delivering a classic."
